Monday, August 8, 2011

Blooms and a few more Flying Ones

It was raining this morning, so I put some music on, and did some aerobic kitchen cleaning.  I like to spray the special cleaner for our wood laminate floor, put a rag down for each foot, and slide around to clean it.  I got the dishwasher unloaded, and cleaned out a couple cupboards.  All of a sudden, I realized it was nice out, so ate breakfast, and went out awhile.  I had to come back in to clean some more, though, because we had family over to celebrate our son's 33rd birthday tonight.  I was excited to see a painted lady butterfly, so went out and took some photos for Jean's Bloomin' Tuesday.

This is the rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle' that I knocked on someone's door to ask for a start of.  I am including a close up to compare to the plant the friend who I gave a ride home from a plant sale gave me.



The friend said it was a plant her mother or grandmother had, and called Golden Glow.  When I looked it up, I saw that it is rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia', a heritage perennial also known as the outhouse plant.  So, these 2 plants that were given to me are relatives.  This one's blooms are a bit smaller and not as full as the 'Goldquelle' ones.
 

I'm not sure if that was a bee or wasp I disturbed while pulling the Joe Pye weed aside to take a photo of the love lies bleeding, which is now taller, and the bloom is looking more like it is supposed to.


I was pleased to see a painted lady butterfly on the bicycle seat, and it seemed to be checking me out as well.


I am continuing to see Eastern Swallowtails and Monarchs each day.  This one is on the Joe Pye Weed.  Kiss me over the garden gate blooms are in the background.


This is the side of the painted lady.


I go back to work on Thursday.  I hope to spend as much time as possible in the yard the next couple of days, and I will do as much as I can inside in the afternoons.  I hope you had a great weekend.

 


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18 comments:

  1. GRACE PETERSONAugust 8, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Hi Sue, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who will go up to someone's door and ask for a cutting. :) Your Kiss-Mes are already blooming? Wow, you're way ahead of me. I love your butterfly visitors. I hope you have nice weather for gardening from now until you have to go back to work.

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  2. SueAugust 9, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    I've been wanting a start from a gal down the road-you should see the fantastic Hydrangea she has. I've NEVER had luck with them-but this one is growing in the worst conditions you can imagine. Perhaps a start from something that hardy will be what works.
    I've never grown Amaranthus-is it difficult? It's really quite "exotic" looking, isn't it!

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  3. Diana LaMarreAugust 9, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Hi Sue,
    I have Golden Glow, too. I got it from my MIL and also googled it years ago and loved the outhouse plant reference. I love how you have it growing against a greyed fence.

    I have not seen a painted lady yet. You have really had a lot of butterflies. I will be seeing them a lot more when my buddelias bloom.

    I hope you get everything done before you go back to work.

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  4. Diane at My Cottage GardenAugust 9, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    Sue, everything is lovely! Tell us about the Yard of the Month sign. And congratulations on it!

    Did I tell you that we released Painted Lady butterflies at my brother's wedding last week? The wedding was in a beautiful place called the 'Butterfly Garden' and each guest released a painted lady.

    Hugs.

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  5. gldAugust 9, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    I love the outhouse plant and the butterfly.

    I can just see you mopping the kitchen floor!

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  6. RosemaryAugust 9, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    So many butterflies in your garden, lovely to see enjoy your last few days before back to work.

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  7. RacquelAugust 9, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    I love that gorgeous Rudbeckia, very interesting double flower. :)

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  8. AndreaAugust 9, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    That 4th photo i haven't seen even in pictures. But its leaves look like our amaranth, it has very unique flowers.

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  9. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Your yard looks amazing this year! You always do such a great job - I have missed see ning your updates - so great to see it now. Paula from Idaho - sorry the comment thing won't let me sign in so I had to do it anonymously!
    http://bucketideasforgardening.blogspot.com/

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  10. LandbohavenAugust 9, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Gode billeder.
    Skønne blomster.
    Smuk sommerfugl.

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  11. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Sue, Great looking blooms today! Awesome butterfly shots! Jean

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  12. Morning Glories in Round RockAugust 9, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Rain--oh, what a lovely thought--it has been so long since we have had rain (or temps under 100) that I have forgotten how beautiful a garden can be with rain! Congrats on getting yard of the month--it looks fantastic!

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  13. Becca's DirtAugust 10, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I have tried for 2 days to post a comment here. Will it work today?

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  14. greggoAugust 10, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    back to work? me too..kind of depressed...been out for 6 months.

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  15. VetsyAugust 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Sue I am so happy that you posted rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle' I have seen a few in some gardens around my neighborhood and kept wondering what they were, at first I thought they might be Japanese roses because they grow in a similar form... But now I'm certain that these are what I saw.

    Thank you

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  16. WendyAugust 11, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Hey - I see you got yard of the month!

    Too bad about going back to work. I have a couple more weeks.

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  17. i beatiAugust 13, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    don't you feel so in kinship when you are working and they fly by to say thank you !!

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  18. JayneAugust 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I don't think we get Painted Ladies down here -- very pretty. Your garden is looking wonderful as always. I hope you still have time to get out in the garden once you go back to work.

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I welcome comments and questions from anyone, including those who do it anonymously. Some people find my posts by doing searches, and I like hearing from them. I guess spammers won't even read this message, but I will delete spam as soon as I see it.